Match reporting by Bob Mitchelmore

Fielding a much changed line-up due to injuries and work commitments which included influential playmaker, Alex Fogavini, an under-strength Bulls returned from local rivals , Leamington, a well beaten side.

Whilst Leamington were clearly the stronger side on the day the young Bulls side battled hard and the final score did them little justice.

From the kick-off Leamington established an attacking position in the Banbury 22 and going through the phases, retaining the ball well they were soon on the scoreboard when the Bulls defence was outflanked allowing Gareth Shuttleworth to touch down.

The Bulls defence continued to be put under pressure but good tackling kept the home side at bay and gradually Banbury managed to put together some dangerous attacks of their own. The scores were levelled when the lively scrum half, Josh Deegan (pictured), charged down a clearing kick to regather and score a good opportunistic try.

Leamington re-established their lead with a try from Tom Greavy, converted by Tom Secher, but Banbury had the final word of the half with an Eddie Phillips penalty to close the gap to four points.

Whilst Banbury were well in the game at the break a Leamington try early in the second half from Danny Ruyssevelt, again converted by the reliable Secher, left them with a mountain to climb. Further Leamington pressure was met with a stout defence and Banbury did not help their cause by too frequently gifting the opposition possession from misdirected kicking.

In a rare foray into the Leamington 22 Banbury earned a penalty in front of the posts which Joe Mills converted to leave the Bulls still in with a chance. However with Leamington enjoying the lions share of possession good handling skills opened up the Banbury defence to allow full back, John Raby to score and with the successful conversion the game was out of reach for the Bulls.

However to their credit in the closing stages of the game they established a foothold in the home 22 and looked cetain to end the game on a high note when cruelly possession was lost on the Leamington line and with the Banbury defence out of position home winger James Harrison,ran the length of the field to score under the posts.

Whilst this was a disappointing result on what has become something of a bogey ground for Banbury the weakened side showed plenty of spirit with centre, Carl Daniels, in particular putting in any number of crunching tackles.

Next week sees a break in league fixtures, and the Bulls will be hoping that they can field a full strength team for the visit of a strong looking , Nuneaton Old Edwardians in a fortnight's time.